National Football Foundation

Eric Long graduated from the University of Kansas in 1971 with a degree in mathematics, but has made his name in the hotel business. After college, Long began working with Hilton Hotels and served as director of catering, director of banquets and meeting services and director of purchasing until 1977. From 1983-94, he served as resident manager at multiple Hilton locations in Orlando, Fla., Chicago, and New York. He reopened the landmark Chicago Hilton, repositioning it as one of the premier group hotels in the country. In his seven years at The Hilton at Short Hills, in Short Hills, N.J., the hotel was the only property in the New York metropolitan area to receive the AAA Five Diamond Lodging Award from 1990-94. It was also one of six hotels in North America to receive the AAA Five Diamond Award for both Lodging and Dining.

In 1994, Long took over as general manager of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. He remained there for 20 years and retired in May of 2014. In that span, the hotel received the 2008 Pinnacle Award, the 2010 Award of Excellence and 2011 Platinum Partner Award by Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine, the 2011 Lifetime Excellence Award by Fred Tibbets & Associates and the 2011 Connie Award, the highest honor given by Hilton Worldwide for superior Operating Performance.